CEBU, Philippines — When the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) came yesterday, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan of Team Kaabag has “exchanged places” with his wife, incumbent congresswoman Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" King Chan.
Ahong is now running for congress while Cindi is now running for mayor.
Cindi will now go head to head with former mayor Paz Radaza while Ahong will vie with Ryan Yuson for Lapu-Lapu City’s lone congressional district respectively in the coming 2025 midterm elections.
Radaza, Team Deretso’s standard bearer with Michael Dignos as her running-mate, filed their COC last Monday.
Ahong expressed his desire to continue serving the Oponganons more effectively, saying him and his wife working together had led to the successful completion of different projects implemented in his current term.
“Nakita nato in my second term, with the partnership of Cong. Cindi, we did a lot of projects nga atong nahatag. Unlike my first term, nga naglisod gyud ta because not all officials are allies of Mayor Ahong,” he said.
“Kahibawo ta ta naagian tag Odette, naagian ta’g pandemic. Atthat time wala tay suporta gikan sa atong konseho. Maoy hinungdan namugna ang ‘Kaabag Dili Babag’ tngod kay wala na approved budget at that time in 2022,” he added.
On the other hand, Cindi acknowledged that running for mayor is a real “challenge” but one she is open and ready to accept.
She said that with her experience as congresswoman, she believes she has more to offer and contribute to improving public service.
“I will take the challenge head on. Ako lang sang ipadangat akong nahimo bisan two years pa ko kapin as a congresswoman, i think naa pud koy ma offer, naa pud oy matabang ug mapa improve pa gani sa serbisyo sauna ug even sa kang Mayor Chan,” said Cindi.
Cindi vowed to continue the project of Ahong and his council, noting that education, tourism and health will be the top priority in her seat if she will be the mayor.
The Chan couple laid out “a comprehensive continuous plan focused on infrastructure development and social services, reflecting the priorities it intends to champion. Among the key projects and initiatives in the pipeline are those aimed at improving essential services in health, education, tourism, and among others”.
Cindi said they would also expand the burial assistance to include fee coffins for families in need. She also said that they are keen at making electricity available all the time in Olango island.
On the matter of choosing his Team Kaabag allies, Ahong shared that he chose them based on whether they shared their vision how to improve the city.
Aside from the couple, incumbent Vice Mayor Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy, who is seeking reelection, also filed his COC yesterday.
“Ako nga bise mayor kanunay lang gihapon nga sincere na moabag sa ilang (Chan couple) mga programa. Busa alang kanako, dako’g matabang sa akong kasinatian alang sa program saumaabot nga Mayor Cindi and Congressman Ahong Chan,” he said.
Those running for Lapu-Lapu City councilors are from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party: Annabeth Cuizon, Efren Herrera, Climaco Tatoy, Emilio Galaroza, Joseph Pangatungan, and Celestino Aying; Lakas-CMD party: Joergen Eyas-Book, Jun Alforque, Susan Baring, Jan Vincent Dela Serna, and Ariane Yap; and Rufo Ymbong Bering from Barangay Maribago.— (FREEMAN)